Vehicle accidents involving Russ is at an all-time low

There have never before been so few accidents involving Russ cars and buses since the phenomenon saw the light of day in Norway. An increasing number of Russ chooses not to co-own such vehicles.

A record low 41 accidents involving Russ (high school graduate students) vehicles were registered last year, compared with 50 the previous year. Injury statistics from the insurance company If shows. In the early years of the millennium, there were over 150 accidents involving Russ cars and Russ buses before May 17th each year, on average. 2004 is the peak year, with a staggering 174 reported accidents.

“The decline in the number of accidents in recent years is mainly due to the fact that the Russ themselves are more concerned with the safety of their cars and buses. Additionally, the police and traffic stations of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration have done good, preventive work,” Information Manager of If Insurance, Sigmund Clementz, notes.

More Russ use the Apostles’ horses

An increasing trend is that there is a large proportion of so-called Wander-Russ in many places, ie, graduate students who are neither co-owners of neither car nor bus.

“The number of vehicles is more than halved in ten years in Asker and Bærum – an area many probably associate with Russ buses. We note, however, that Russ buses in recent years have appeared in many places around the country – in areas, towns and cities that previously only had a tradition of Russ cars,” Clementz continues.

There are far fewer Russ vehicles on the roads than ten years ago throughout Norway. Since 2009, the number of such cars and buses has halved in numbers, according to If.

On a nationwide basis, the relative decline is much bigger with respect to cars than buses.

Safety belt saves lives

There is no total number of injuries involving Russ, but of those who were insured by If, only two were injured in traffic accidents last year. The year before there were no injuries at all. By comparison, the number of traffic accidents involving personal injury involving Russ was 16 in 2002.

“The personal injuries vary greatly with the number of serious traffic accidents. A serious accident means many injuries. This is because many people travel in the same vehicle. It is, therefore, very important with continued safety work aimed at the Russ, especially raising awareness regarding the use of seat belts,” the Information Manager emphasises.

Together with the Norwegian Personal Injury Association (LTN), the insurance company If donates NOK 1,000 to Russ who will pay a driver for two nights on desired dates in May. Between 70 and 100 apply each year, and is thus granted a sponsored driver. This year’s figures regarding the scheme are not available yet.

“This is a contribution to raising awareness of how important it is to have a sober driver at disposal when partying,” Information Manager of If, Sigmund Clementz, concludes.

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